Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors: No visitors today. We hope for sunnier skies the next few days!
Thank you to Ryan Gannon for volunteering today.
Weather: Initially, the weather looked like a full cancellation, but as the radar updated to look clear we decided to start the count. Winds from the east and NE appeared to slow the forecasted system arriving from the west.
The ridge started clear of precipitation with fog visible to the south. Skies were overcast and temperatures were cool in the low 40s F. The winds were moderate from the northeast but shifted due east after a few hours. The fog intensified, limiting visibility to the south for about an hour, but then cleared again. After a few hours, the promised precipitation was visible to the west, the wind calmed, and the system approached rapidly until visibility was limited and a snow/rain mix was falling. The count was ended at 13:30 MST due to poor visibility and precipitation.
Raptor Observations: Despite the impending weather, we had a few birds today and an enjoyable flight line.
Most birds were in the first two hours at near eye level just off the east side of the ridge. First, an Osprey flew past coming first from below. After a few minutes, an adult Sharp-shinned came past so close that it seemed like it would hit us! Our final bird seen on this path was an adult Peregrine Falcon, which took a second to look at us before continuing past.
Besides the close birds, we had a distant Sharp-shinned Hawk to the west, and a Juvenile Cooper's Hawk between the ridge and the west side. In the remaining 2.5 hours, we counted one distant Sharp-shinned Hawk on the west.
Today brings our April count to a close! We counted 1569 birds this month, bringing our current season total to 2122. We are excited to see what May will bring.
Non-raptor Observations: White-throated Swift 1, Broad-tailed Hummingbird 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 3, Common Raven 3, Rock Wren 1, Pine Siskin 1, Spotted Towhee 3, Western Meadowlark 2, Brewer's Blackbird 1
Predictions: Tomorrow, partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies are forecasted with winds from the NE at 5-10 MPH. Expect cool temperatures in the mid 40s-50s F. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Official Counter of the day shown above (<dinoridgehw...>) Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: www.dinosaurridgehawkwatch.org
Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson's hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey Vultures. American Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, and American White Pelican. Birders of any skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by Hawk Counter(s) and volunteers from March through early May.
Directions to site: From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow hawk watch signs from the southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch site. The hike starts heading east on an old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, and walk to the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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